How strong is Syria?

[tabatha]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/how-strong-is-the-syrian-military/article2245549/

[ellisonz]

1. I'd bet a lot of their equipment is outdated.

[RZM]

3. My guess is alot of it is old Soviet stuff

Somebody posted here a week or so ago about this in detail. I seem to remember much of the equipment being Soviet-made. I remember years back reading a bunch of books about Soviet policy in the region. I seem to remember that they frequently sold this equipment on credit and sometimes ended up getting stiffed by their customers.

[RZM]

2. There will be no intervention in Syria

I'm starting to think that for the West, the Arab Spring is something of a Rorschach test. For many on the left, it's all about US foreign policy. Uprisings against pro-American regimes (Egypt) are celebrated. Those against anti-American regimes are either condemned (Libya) or ignored (Syria). Sometimes it's 'huh?' (Bahrain) or 'Shouldn't we be talking about drones?' (Yemen)

On the right, they all seem to see the same thing, whether or not they have a grasp of the region or events . . . 'Arabs, Muslims, and Obama are bad!'

[ellisonz]

4. I agree with that analysis.

I like to think I fall right in the middle. I see it as what it is, a test. I think the President views it this way too. For all the complaining that's been made on hear about Obama and his dealing with Libya and our assault on Al-Qaeda and its affiliates he's handled it remarkably well. The other day I heard a commentator state that the administration wishes it could run on foreign policy, but that domestic issues would dominate the day. I don't think this is quite true; but he certainly has excelled at foreign policy. He's probably the most capable since John F. Kennedy - and that says a lot about his character.

People seem to forget that Cairo speech :thumbsup:

[tabatha]

5. Nope, because there is no "Bengahzi" in Syria.

A part of the country that was independent from the start of the uprising.

Also, China and Russia won't abstain this time.

And NATO cannot afford it. But I thought it was an interesting table.

[ellisonz]

6. Perhaps.

A lot depends on how effective the Syrian dissidents and NLC can be at fighting for that "Benghazi." If China and Russia see that more can be gained economically by getting rid of Assad than backing him; they will flip.

I don't think you'd see the same type of close-in-air-support but a true No-Fly-Zone definitely. Give 6 months to a year.

[TexasProgresive]

7. Well Syria has all of Saddam's chemical and nuclear weapons

At least that was the story being put out by FUX and friends.